Why is Tortilla chips classified as ultra-processed (NOVA 4) and what specific additives does it contain?

The product is made from refined corn flour, vegetable oil and a complex seasoning blend that includes sugar, salt, maltodextrin, yeast extract, multiple spices, onion powder, parsley, paprika extract (E160c), sodium acetate (E262i) and other flavorings, which are all characteristic of ultra‑processed foods and place it in NOVA group 4.

How does the sugar and salt content in this product affect a diabetic or hypertensive diet?

With only 1.5 g of sugar per 100 g, the chips add minimal carbohydrate load for diabetics, but the 0.4 g of salt (≈160 mg sodium) can still contribute to daily sodium intake and should be limited for hypertension, especially when consumed in larger portions.

Based on the ingredients, is this product suitable for strict diets like Vegan, Keto, Halal, or Gluten-Free?

The chips are gluten‑free and contain no animal‑derived meat or dairy, making them compatible with gluten‑free and potentially vegan diets, although several additives have uncertain vegan status. Their carbohydrate level (56.8 g per 100 g) is too high for a strict keto regime, and the presence of unspecified flavorings means halal certification cannot be guaranteed.

Old El Paso

Tortilla chips

Salty Snacks

Product Insights

Tortilla chips are a salty snack classified in the Salty snacks and Appetizers groups. They carry a Nutri-Score of C and are placed in NOVA group 4, indicating an ultra‑processed product that is high in fat (26.2 g per 100 g) with moderate saturated fat (3 g) and low sugar (1.5 g) but contain a notable amount of additives. The chips are gluten‑free and preservative‑free, yet they include several flavorings, acidity regulators and colorants, which may be unsuitable for low‑fat or allergen‑sensitive diets.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

high

Saturated Fat

moderate

Sugars

low

Salt

moderate

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g/ml

Energy Kcal498 kcal

Fat26.2 g

Saturated Fat3 g

Carbohydrates56.8 g

Sugars1.5 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with average snack values, this tortilla chip has much lower sugar (1.5 g vs 3.84 g) and salt (0.4 g vs 52.44 g), slightly higher total fat (26.2 g vs 23.61 g) and lower saturated fat (3 g vs 5.11 g).

Ingredients

Chips de Mais saveur fajlla ingrédients grain de mais, hulte de tournesol riche en acide oléique, assaisonnement (sucre, set, épices (paprika, poivre noir, curcuma, gingembre, piment de Cayenne), oignon en poudre, maltodextrine, extrait de levure, arômes, correcteurs d'acidité (acétate de sodium, adde ditrique), all en poudre, persil, colorant (extrait de paprika), arôme de fumée), Conditionnées sous atmosphère protectrice,

84%

35%

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